AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 204, 2 October 1909, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS.

TO-NIGHT (SATURDAY). ' WEST'S PICTURES. The programme' of West's Pictures ill the Thcatrt Royal to-night is direct from the Sydney branch of West's Pictures circuit, arid is referred to by. the I'ress of that city as being one of the best ever screened by West's. The programme includes scenes of travel, life, and adventure, industries of the Old World, also national and sporting events of all kinds. Patrons are reminded that a matinee will be given as usual this afternoon,, when children will be admitted for sixpence to all parts of the theatre. This well-known company appears at Inglcwood on Monday night. THE JULIDS KNIGHT SEASON. 'THE BREED OF THE TRESHAMS." Mr. Julius Knight, supported by J. C. Williamson's premier dramatic organisation, will appear at tie Theatre Royal on Thursday next in one of tHc most remarkable plays of motern times, "The Breed of the Treshams," in which Sir Julius Knight will be seen fo r the first time here as Rercsbv, "The Rat.'' There is one speech in' "The Breed o! the Treshams" that secures for Licuten ant Reresby the sympathy of the audi ence and guarantees to him, it is said, the kindly feeling that is necesenrv Oiould float over thfe footligHS—lEall intangible something that steels an iictOf to do his best. "The Rat," as Reresby the Royalist officer is know is really a dog with a bad name. He was nameless when his life began, am* his father's memory is execrated b' him, and not only on that account. Hi tells the whole storv of his bitterness to his half-brother, and it is tihs speech which made Martin Harvey, the ling lisli actor, famous. During the thirl > years' war il would appear "The Rat" and his father—a great warrior—fought as soldiers of fortune on opposite sides. The father, an odious man, at this time made a victim of his unacknowledged offspring's innocent betrothed. It is on this circumstance that tile plot turns. The play conies with a splendid reputation as a fine literary effort, full of excitement and well knit. There is strong emotional interest in the scenes in the arrest, search, and drumhead trial of Reresby. A dramatic, circumstance o c the trial is that Lord Dorrington, who presides, is ignorant that the ehirff traitor in the conspiracy in which "The Rat" is involved is a member of his own family, and of one of the judges sitting with him. This Is a brother of the maiden of the story, and to save her the shame of his treachery Reresby refuses to incriminate him. He endures the agonies of torture and attempts sui, cide. so' that the secret may not be wrung from him. H is said'that Mr. Knight fairly revels in the part of Lieutenant Reresby, and it is allowed by the generality of critics that "The Rat" is out and away the very finest piece of dramatic work that this clever and versatile actor lias'given us, frhti box plan will be opened on Monday *arf at Collier's. •?•■■■